𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐌 ➳ 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐂𝐊 ✓

八 ; Bā

"It's so cute!" Chenle smiled, gently touching the seedling for he didn't want to harm it.

Mark, on the other hand, was embarrassed. His friends were the last group of people he needed to know about the seedling.

"How did this even happen?" Renjun asked, walking out from the kitchen with a tray of drinks.

They were at his house after basketball to discuss the seedling.

"I don't know, it was a bump just a week ago but now, it's a whole seedling!" Mark explained, not knowing if it was helpful.

Donghyuck stared at the seedling, he didn't realise it but he thought that it was actually adorable. He smiled to himself, staring the Mark.

"He's cute, isn't he?" Jaemin asked who noticed Donghyuck staring.

"Yeah, he is," Donghyuck continued to stare at Mark and the seedling fondly.

Mark overheard their conversation, making his cheeks bright red at Donghyuck's response.

The group of friend looked at each other cheekily, "Ooo~" They sang together,

Donghyuck realised what he said and placed his hand over his mouth, using the other to smack Jaemin. "I mean it!The seedling! Not Mark!"

"I want Jisung to say I'm cute too.." Chenle quietly whined to himself with a pout.

Jisung shyly smiled at Chenle's adorable request. "Don't worry, Chenle. I can assure you you're the cutest here," He granted Chenle's wishes and pulled his cheeks.

Chenle's heart began to race, not being able to contain his smile.

"Ew," Renjun cringed staring at the younger ones.

"Someone is forgetting Jaemin exists," Jaemin frowned, seeming offended.

The group of friends burst into laughter except for Mark who was worried about his seedling.

"We won't tell anyone, Mark," Renjun smiled warmly, noticing the concerned look his best friend had.

Mark nodded happily, thankful to have Renjun by his side.

Renjun was always there for him, he was there for him when his parents passed and even helped them out when they had problems beginning to live independently.

But Mark was not just concerned about the news being spread, he was just.. bothered by many things.

Donghyuck looked at Mark who seemed worried, "Markie, you'll be alright,"

"M-Markie?" He stuttered, his heart beating wildly when he heard the nickname he was given.

"Oh! It's growing!" Chenle pointed out, noticing the seedling rapidly growing.

"What?" Mark hurried to the bathroom to see the seedling taller than before.

"Why is it suddenly growing?" Jeno asked,

"I-I don't know," Mark was unsure but whatever it was, he wanted to stay away from it.

"And no one thinks it's strange that it grew while he was talking to Donghyuck?" Jaemin looked over at Donghyuck, staring at him in suspicion.

Everyone stared at Donghyuck. "Don't look at me I did not curse him!" He said, raising his hands trying to prove his innocence.

"Alright, just calm down. We don't know what's happening so let's not point fingers at anyone," Renjun broke the silence.

Mark only stared at the mirror at the seedling, he couldn't think of any more options and it was frustrating him.

The question of why it was there had only stressed him out. He wished it could've just disappeared.

--------

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Mark bid Renjun farewell,

He walked out of the house with Donghyuck. They began walking home together, after all, they were using the same way.

They were chatting throughout the whole time, bursting into laughter often.

After a while, "Is this where you live?" Mark asked, pointing at Donghyuck's house.

Donghyuck nodded, completely forgetting he was on his way home. "I'll see you tomorrow then!" Donghyuck smiled,

Mark was surprised to see Donghyuck smiling at him. "Am I going to die?" He thought,

Mark smiled back, trying not to overthink it. "Goodnight, Hyuckie," He watched as Donghyuck happily entering his house.

He continued to walk home alone, the cold sending shivers down his spine.

He heard a car pull up behind him by the street and a door being slammed shut.

"Mark," Mark turned around to only be grabbed violently by the shoulders.

"D-Dad?" He stuttered, uncertain if he really was who he thought it was especially when it was dark.

"I knew you would remember me! What a good son you are!" The man ruffled Mark's hair with a smile.

"Stay away from me!" Mark slapped his hand away, backing away from his father.

"Mark, I'm sorry for-"
"What do you want?!" Mark asked, knowing his father had no good intentions.

His father hesitated to say the truth. He didn't want to lose his only hope but it was better than dying, "Mark, I need some cash,"

Mark was absolutely disgusted, he pushed his father away. "Just go away already!" He yelled,

"Mark, please! If we don't get the cash, I'll die!" His father exclaimed, approaching his son,

"No! Just leave al-" His father grabbed the collar of his son's shirt.

"I didn't want to have to force you, Mark but you leave me no choice,"

"No means no, headass!" Donghyuck jumped into the scene,

His father turned to his back to see the younger child, "Stay out of our business!" He hissed,

"I will but I'm not sure if the cops will," Donghyuck smiled, pressing the phone onto his ear.

His father pushed Mark to the ground and hurried back to his car, driving away in fear.

"Mark, you okay?" Donghyuck asked, slipping the phone into his pocked and approaching him,

Mark sat there, he was quite dazed. His father suddenly appeared back into his life again, out of absolutely nowhere. It was simply unplanned for.

"I don't know,"